prosthetic

[pros-thet-ik]

adjective

1. of or relating to an artificial body part or prosthesis.

   He was fitted for a prosthetic arm.

2. of or relating to the fields of surgical or dental prosthetics.

   advances in prosthetic technology.

3. of or relating to a substance, item, or process used to transform a person’s appearance temporarily, especially as a theatrical special effect.

   The final scene required painstaking application of prosthetic hair and skin.

noun

1. an artificial body part; a prosthesis.

   Hundreds of amputees volunteered to test the new prosthetics.

2. an appearance-altering substance or item applied temporarily to a person’s face or body, especially to create a theatrical special effect.

   Alien creatures are brought to life with realistic prosthetics.

Other Word Forms

• prosthetically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosthetic¹

1735–40; < Modern Latin prostheticus, from Hellenistic Greek prosthetikós, equivalent to prósthet(os) “added on,” verbid of prostithе́nai “to add, put onto” ( pros- pros- ( def. ). + the-, stem of tithе́nai “to put, place” + -tos verbid suffix) + -ikos -ic ( def. )

Example Sentences

He gained about 40 pounds, wore a wig and dyed his eyebrows since he did not want to rely on prosthetics.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

People with more serious cases may need surgery or prosthetic button to fill the hole, while others may need home remedies or to monitor the septum if there aren’t any significant issues.

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Tincher got a prosthetic leg and went back to work, this time for a medical supplies delivery company.

Read more on Salon

"All previous attempts to provide vision with prosthetic devices resulted in basically light sensitivity, not really form vision," said Daniel Palanker, PhD, a professor of ophthalmology and a co-senior author of the paper.

Read more on Science Daily

To fully step into the role, Clarke had to gain a staggering 40 pounds—in addition to the prosthetics that were applied to transform him fully into Murdaugh.

Read more on MarketWatch